The Riviera reimagined: a first look inside Le Mas Candille, Mougins

The address soon to be on everyone’s lips is Le Mas Candille. Coming out of a two-year renovation, this 46-room hillside hotel seamlessly blends South of France elegance with California-cool designs.

Whether it’s the magical location in the rolling hinterland of Cannes, the honey-hued guest rooms or the vibey pool scene that seems to have come out of a 70’s Hollywood production: the reopening of Le Mas Candille is making waves in the South of France. And for good reason. Under the eye of French-Mexican designer Hugo Toro (known for New York’s Villa Albertine and the glamorous Gigi restaurants) the property was given a head-to-toe makeover, leaving only its original structures in place. The result is a beautiful farmhouse that still oozes the soul of the Côte (without the cliches) - but spiced-up with California-modern designs. Dusty terracotta, brown and honey-musterd hues flow through the different areas of Le Mas, complementing French antiques, vintage lamps and low-slung padded benches designed by Toro himself. It’s a place with eye for detail where past and modern meet.

the location

Le Mas Candille sits in a quiet corner of the French Riviera, just north of Cannes, surrounded by frangrant pine trees and Provençal vistas. The 4,5-hectare estate is only minutes away from the medieval town of Mougins (known for its famous temporary residents, like Pablo Picasso), while Cannes and the legendary Croisette are a short 20 minutes drive away. Add another 20 minutes for Nice and its ever-buzzing Promenade des Anglais. For change of scenery head to the charming town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where the Fondation Maeght is celebrating its 60 year anniversary this summer. There’s a Bonnard-Matisse exposition on display untill early October. Both the foundation as the town of Saint-Paul make a beautiful daytrip from Le Mas.

the Rooms

The 46 guest rooms at Le Mas Candille are spread across the different areas of the estate. Starting from the hills above the resort decends through winding pathways, often with panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the town of Grasse. The Bastide is the first structure on the route down, offering space to 21 terraced guest rooms. It’s located closest to the Glow House spa with its in- and outdoor pool. Further down, the original Le Mas building holds space for the reception area and another 20 guest rooms. A final six 70m2 suites are discretely situated further down, offering peace and tranquility for families or smaller groups. Even though the sizes, layout and views vary - all rooms are equally good-looking and most come with a balcony or terrace. Soft colorful designs and mixed motifs and materials give the rooms an eclectic feel - bringing a bit of Los Angeles villa opulence to Le Mas.

To do

Gastronomically Le Mas Candille is a destination on its own, helmed by local chef Romaine Antoine. Across the properties there are two restaurants: the informal Pool House which opens for lunch and dinner and La Table des Pins, a cosy but gorgeous restaurant with an indoor fireplace and an al fresco terrace under the pine trees. Both restaurants open to the public, so also those not sleeping at the hotel can enjoy the magic of Le Mas. Expect Mediterranean style dishes in an unparallelled setting of dimmed lights and cotton-candy sunsets.

The crowning glory of the hotel (at least in our humble opinion) is the on-site Clarins Spa called the Glow House. A serene wellness heaven where treatments, relaxation, sport and nutrition come together. Aside an extensive treatment menu (curated exclusively for the hotel by Clarins) there is a fitness room, a hammam, sauna and a 25-meters heated pool that extends to the outdoors. Elsewhere on the estate there’s a newly built Orangerie (offering yoga classes and kids activities), a cosy library and a jeau de boules court. It’s the South of France after all.

Le Mas Candille, rooms from EUR 490 per night